How did the Treaty of Tordesillas divide the New World?

The Treaty of Tordesillas divided the New World between Spain and Portugal along a meridian 370 leagues west of Cape Verde islands.

The Treaty of Tordesillas, signed in 1494, was a significant agreement between the then superpowers, Spain and Portugal, mediated by Pope Alexander VI. The treaty was designed to resolve the disputes over newly discovered lands in the Atlantic Ocean, which both nations claimed. The Pope, aiming to maintain peace between the two Catholic nations, proposed a division of these territories along a meridian 370 leagues west of the Cape Verde islands, off the west coast of Africa.

This division meant that all lands discovered west of the line would belong to Spain, while those found east of the line would be Portugal's. This effectively gave Spain rights to most of the Americas, including present-day Mexico, the United States, Central America, and the majority of South America. Portugal, on the other hand, ended up with territories in Eastern South America, including Brazil, and lands along the African coast and towards India.

The Treaty of Tordesillas was significant as it was one of the first major agreements on global division and set a precedent for future treaties on international law. However, it's worth noting that the treaty was largely ignored by other European powers, particularly England and France, who did not recognise the authority of the Pope in such matters. This led to further conflicts and territorial disputes in the New World.

The treaty also had profound implications for the indigenous populations of these territories. The division of lands did not consider the existing cultures, societies, and nations in these regions. The arrival of Europeans led to significant changes, often violent and destructive, in these societies. The Treaty of Tordesillas, therefore, is not just a story of European diplomacy but also a crucial chapter in the history of colonialism and its impacts.